Paul uses the metaphor of circumcision to describe the spiritual transformation that occurs in believers through Christ. In Jewish tradition, circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant between God and His people. However, Paul emphasizes that in Christ, believers undergo a different kind of circumcision—one that is not physical but spiritual. This spiritual circumcision represents the cutting away of the sinful nature, the part of us that is dominated by fleshly desires and separated from God.
Through Christ's work, believers are freed from the power of sin and are given a new identity. This transformation is not achieved by human effort but by the divine action of Christ. It signifies a profound internal change where the old self, which was ruled by sin, is put off, and a new life begins. This passage reassures believers of the completeness of Christ's work in their lives, offering them a fresh start and a new relationship with God. It underscores the idea that true transformation comes from within, through the power of Christ, rather than external rituals.